Former Sandusky attorney faces criminal probe

A Pennsylvania attorney who recently made headlines as part of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky’s defense team is facing a criminal probe of his own.

According to PennLive/The Patriot News, Carlisle, Pa.-based attorney Karl Rominger is being investigated by the Cumberland County district attorney on allegations that Rominger misappropriated client funds. PennLive reported that the probe, which was confirmed by the Cumberland County district attorney Friday, stemmed from a divorce proceeding Rominger was assigned in August 2011 by the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County. Rominger, who represented Kathleen Gorton in her divorce from her husband, Edmund Gorton, had been ordered to turn over $60,000 to Edmund in proceeds from the sale of the Gorton family home. According to PennLive, Rominger missed a Feb. 3 deadline to turn over the money, leading to a March 6 order from the Court of Common Pleas directing him to pay Edmund Gorton immediately.

“I was made aware of the [civil] case on Wednesday afternoon, and the hearing [was] scheduled in the case Thursday. … That case is certainly part of our investigation,” Cumberland County district attorney David Freed wrote in an email response to PennLive’s questions.

Rominger, for his part, released a statement Saturday addressing the allegations against him. According to PennLive, Rominger claimed that he initiated the investigation against himself and was cooperating with the authorities. “I will do everything in my power to help those that I’ve wronged and to make whole any loss that I’ve created,” Rominger said in his statement. “With that in mind, I just ask that you pray for those I’ve wronged and you pray for my family. When I’m able to give more information, I will. But rest assured, I am cooperating fully and working hard at the moment.”